Horst, Rice settling in for Wooster

Published: February 18, 2000 12:00 AM

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There's little doubt a student-athlete's freshman year is one of transition. From dealing with a new school, to new teammates, a different coach and different expectations, the whole process is distinctly unlike high school.

The College of Wooster's Kerri Horst and Kristen Rice can both attest to as much.

After some initial growing pains, though, Horst and Rice, teammates during their high school days at Northwestern, have settled in nicely on the women's basketball team and helped lead a second-half resurgence for the Scots this season.

Until an off game in a loss at Kenyon earlier this week, Horst, a sophomore, was one of the Scots most consistent offensive performers over the last month. Even with that 2-point outing, Horst has reached double digits in 10 of her last 12 games, averaging a healthy 12.8 points a contest over that span. Rice, meanwhile, has recovered from a slow start to her freshman season to become one of the Scots' most productive frontcourt reserves. Together they've helped Wooster recover from a 2-7 start to go 6-8 since January.

For Horst, her improved play is in direct correlation to her increased playing time since being inserted into the starting lineup back on Dec. 30 following starting guard Mo Mull's transfer.

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"I just felt like I had to step up my play to fill in for Mo after she left," said Horst, who is averaging 8.9 points a game this season. "With me, it all starts on the defensive end. If I can come out and get some quick steals and convert them into baskets, then it seems as if the rest of my offense falls into place.

"As the season's gone and I've been able to get more minutes, I've gained more confidence in my play."

Horst's step up this season might have surprised some, especially considering she averaged less than two points a game last season. But Horst says there were reasons behind her slow start last season.

"I didn't play until after break because I was injured," she said, "and by the time I got back I decided the best way I could help the team was by just concentrating on defense.

"The game is a lot quicker and more intense at the college level. It's something that you have to adjust to."